Chicago Bears

A Monsters of the Midway-esque defensive unit that was once one of the league's best has been reduced to mediocrity. Defensive line and safety appear to be the biggest areas of need on the unit. The interior offensive line also figures to get some attention in the draft.

James White, RB, WisconsinApril 25:All-around RB worked out for BearsWhite is a solid all-around back; while he doesn't necessarily stand out in any area, he is a solid runner, receiver and blocker. He seems to be a third-day selection, and the Bears definitely could use depth behind Matt Forte. The Bears have one pick each in the fourth and fifth rounds and two picks in the sixth, though the sixth might be too late to grab him.

Will Sutton, DT, Arizona StateApril 22:Productive DT met with BearsThe Bears need to come out of this draft with at least one defensive tackle; the question is when they decide to seek that help. Will it be the first round? If they go another way on the draft's initial day, picking Sutton (6-foot-0½, 303 pounds) on the second day is a possibility. He was productive at Arizona State (19.5 sacks and 45.5 tackles for loss in his career), but he also is a divisive prospect because of his fluctuating weight and a lack of consistency. Still, his pass-rush potential in the interior likely excites some teams. Are the Bears one of them?

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS, AlabamaApril 18: Jeremiah: Clinton-Dix should appeal to BearsIn a teleconference Thursday, NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said safety is a position the Bears could look to fill with the No. 14 overall pick. "I think they'll have shot at one of those top two guys, Ha Ha Clinton Dix from Alabama, Calvin Pryor from Louisville," Jeremiah said. "HaHa Clinton-Dix might be a little more attractive to them just as a playmaker over the top, kind of a little more range than Pryor." Clinton-Dix (6-foot-1, 208 pounds) is seen as a first-round lock, and he likely also will appeal to two teams drafting earlier than the Bears -- the Lions at No. 10 and the Rams at No. 13.

Zach Fulton, G, TennesseeApril 18:Ex-Vols guard works out for BearsThe Chicago Bears will get a look at former Tennessee guard Zach Fulton on Friday at the club's facility in a workout for prospects local to Chicago, and he is expecting to get a familiar request: to snap a few footballs from the center position. According to chicagosuntimes.com, Notre Dame guard Chris Watt has been making a similar adjustment in private workouts. The Lions, Falcons and Panthers have worked out Fulton, as well.

Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia TechApril 8:Report: Fuller meets with BearsThe Bears likely will be looking to improve their defense with the team's first-round pick, and to that end Fuller is visiting with the team. Chicago's secondary could use an infusion of talent at cornerback and at both safety spots. But the Bears also could use some help at defensive tackle.

De'Anthony Thomas, RB, OregonApril 7:Speedy Thomas will meet with BearsThomas had a disappointing junior season in 2013 but definitely is dangerous with the ball in his hands. With Devin Hester having departed in free agency, you have to think Chicago would be intrigued with Thomas as a return man. Thomas also has the potential to be a dangerous slot receiver and useful on jet sweeps, though his lack of size means he will be a specialty player. He's a third-day selection.

Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern IllinoisApril 4:Lynch working out at QB for BearsLynch has worked out as a running back at the combine and as a defensive back at his pro day, he'll work out at his preferred position of quarterback when he meets with the Bears on April 18, according to suntimes.com. Lynch finished third in the Heisman vote last season and said he is intent on winning the NFL's Rookie of the Year award.

Kony Ealy, DE, MissouriFeb. 20:Mayock: Bears could get defensiveOn a conference call with reporters, NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock broke down the Bears' options at pick No. 14 in the first round of the draft, saying, "When you're looking at the pure 4-3 ends in this draft, they are few and far between. (Jadeveon) Clowney is going to be gone, and if (Kony) Ealy is there at 14, he's a good pick."

Detroit Lions

A second consecutive season without a playoff berth meant a change of leadership for the Detroit Lions. Enter former Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell, whose most pressing needs could be in the defensive backfield.

Erik Lora, WR, Eastern IllnoisApril 23:Highly productive FCS WR to meet with LionsLora (5-foot-10, 203 pounds) was not invited to the combine but had a solid pro day performance, running the 40 in 4.49 seconds and turning in a 36-inch vertical jump (http://blogs.nfl.com/2014/03/04/garoppolo-wasnt-only-standout-at-northwestern-pro-day/). Lora was Jimmy Garoppolo's favorite receiver at EIU and caught 259 passes in his final two seasons, good for 3,218 yards and 31 touchdowns. Lora was an all-county player in high school in Miami in the large-school classification, but his size and supposed lack of speed led to zero FBS offers. He has a chance to be a late-round pick but likely ends up as a priority free agent. Despite signing free-agent WR Golden Tate, Detroit seemingly is looking to add some receivers in this draft. The Lions pick 12th (227th overall) in the seventh round.

Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, NebraskaApril 21:Big CB met with LionsJean-Baptiste (6-foot-3, 218 pounds) is intriguing to a lot of teams because of his size. He didn't run all that well at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.61 in the 40), though he did have an eye-popping 41.5-inch vertical jump. He improved his 40 at Nebraska's pro day, turning in times of 4.45 and 4.48 seconds. Despite his size, he's not all that physical, and while there has been some talk of him potentially being a safety, his lack of physicality would be an issue there. And while he ran better at his pro day, his speed (or lack thereof) remains a concern. Jean-Baptiste, who turned 24 earlier this month, was a wide receiver in high school and in prep school, and signed with Nebraska out of junior college (he did not play football there) as a receiver; he has played just a bit more than two years of cornerback. Detroit needs corners and could go with Jean-Baptiste with its second-round pick (45th overall); he might be a bit of a reach that early, though. The Lions pick 12th in the third round (76th overall), but he could be gone by then.

Marcus Martin, C, USCApril 21:One of draft's top centers meets with LionsMartin (6-foot-3, 320 pounds) and Colorado State's Weston Richburg are the two best centers in the draft. Martin started at guard in his first two seasons with the Trojans, then moved to center as a junior in 2013. Center wouldn't appear to be a high priority for Detroit, but starter Dominic Raiola is 35. Martin could start at guard until Raiola is ready to be replaced. Detroit picks 13th in the second round (45th overall), which presumably is where the Lions would target Martin. Detroit picks 12th in the third round (76th overall), but Martin probably would be gone by then.

Taylor Lewan, OT, MichiganApril 18: Improving the o-line possible for Detroit In a teleconference Thursday, NFL Media draft analyst Charles Davis said he thought Detroit picking Lewan (6-foot-7, 309 pounds) made some sense. "I don't think offensive line is out of line there at No. 10 for Detroit," Davis said. Lewan generally is considered the No. 3 tackle available, but he also is considered a guy who will be off the board by the early teens. If the Lions do select Lewan (or Texas A&M's Jake Matthews, the No. 2 tackle), Davis said Detroit could move Riley Reiff from left tackle to right tackle and "you've automatically gotten your offensive line a whole lot better and helped out Matthew Stafford. So it's not out of line that that could happen."

Marqise Lee, WR, USCApril 17:Lee hopes to get drafted by LionsLee isn't tipping his hand about where in the NFL draft he expects to be chosen, but after paying a visit to the Lions, the projected first-rounder certainly sounds like he's identified his best-case scenario.

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South CarolinaApril 17:Potential No. 1 pick Clowney meets with LionsClowney is in play to be the top pick in the draft and conventional wisdom says there is no way he lasts beyond the third pick. The Lions pick 10th in the first round. There's no way Clowney is there at No. 10 for the Lions, so perhaps they were just doing their due diligence on the player who is considered the top prospect in the draft.

C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, IowaApril 17:Lions meeting with big TEFiedorowicz (6-foot-5½, 265 pounds) might be the best of the second-tier tight ends (behind a top four of Eric Ebron, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Jace Amaro and Troy Niklas). Fiedorowicz was underutilized at Iowa -- part of that is on him -- but he has excellent size, good hands, has shown an ability to get deep and can be a physical blocker. Still, he finished his career with only 91 catches, and it's tough to truly project him as a big-time receiving threat. Detroit definitely would seem to be in the market for a tight end, and Fiedorowicz seems likely to go in the third or fourth round. The Lions have two picks in the fourth round.

Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia TechApril 14:Lions meet with star CBThe Lions need defensive backs, and they certainly are doing their due diligence on cornerbacks and safeties. Fuller (6-foot-0, 190 pounds) generally is considered one of the top five corners in the draft, and NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock has Fuller as his No. 2 corner. Detroit owns the 10th pick; that seems to be too early for Fuller, whose brother, Corey, is a Lions receiver. Detroit also has met with CBs Justin Gilbert and Darqueze Dennard and safeties Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Deone Bucannon.

Martavis Bryant, WR, ClemsonApril 4:Bryant visits with LionsWhile one Clemson wide receiver has said he likes the idea of teaming with Calvin Johnson, the Lions visited with another Tigers wide receiver. Bryant (6-foot-4, 211 pounds) has a great size/speed mix (4.42 in the 40 at the combine), but he's also a guy who underachieved in his three seasons at Clemson. He came on strong in the second half of his junior season, then turned pro. His potential likely will lead to him being drafted higher than he should be going off his production; he could be a target for the Lions in the second round.

Louis Nix III, DT, Notre DameMarch 24:Lions could draft DT to motivate FairleyLions GM Martin Mayhew didn't hide the fact that the team's decision not to pick up the option on DT Nick Fairley was partly to give him an incentive to have a big season. The Lions, who hold the No. 10 pick in the draft, might also seek to push Fairley through the draft, perhaps not in the first round but possibly in the second round, in which they pick 13th. Nix and Ra'Shede Hageman are likely targets for them on the second day.

Eric Ebron, TE, North CarolinaMarch 19:Ebron set to visit LionsEbron has at least four NFL teams lined up for visits next month. In addition to the Lions, Ebron will visit with the Bills, Panthers and Ravens. Detroit immediately follows Buffalo with the No. 10 overall pick, while Baltimore picks at No. 17. Carolina figures to be in a poor position to acquire Ebron with the No. 28 overall pick.

Green Bay Packers

Injuries have ravaged the Packers' roster in recent years. The team has yet to recover from the loss of safety Nick Collins in 2011 to a neck injury, and Jermichael Finley's injury in 2013 could also dictate the team's direction in the draft. Cornerback could also be an area addressed by the Packers, whose defense has failed to complement the team's explosive offense in recent seasons.

Brandon Dixon, CB, Northwest Missouri StateApril 9:Dixon among small-school standouts visiting PackersDixon, Tennessee-Martin WR Jeremy Butler and North Dakota State QB Brock Jensen are scheduled for meetings with the Packers. Dixon (5-foot-11 1/2, 203 pounds) was a Division II All-American who played in the Senior Bowl and attended the NFL Scouting Combine; he ran the 40 in 4.41 seconds at the combine. Dixon is a potential third-day pick, while Butler and Jensen are likely to be undrafted free agents. Jensen (6-3, 223) led North Dakota State to back-to-back FCS titles in 2012 and '13 and is raw as a passer. Butler (6-2, 226), who transferred from Louisiana Tech, had 90 receptions for 1,203 yards and 10 TDs in 2013.

Jace Amaro, TE, Texas TechMarch 14:Two Packers reps in Lubbock for pro dayTwo representatives from the Packers were among those from 20 different NFL teams on hand for Texas Tech's pro day, where Amaro's workout as deemed worthy of first-round consideration, according to NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt. With uncertainty over Jermichael Finley's health clouding the Packers' tight end situation, the team could be on the lookout to add more talent at the position.

Dri Archer, RB, Kent StateMarch 2:Packers on quest to improve return gameWhile Oregon State's Brandin Cooks appears to mirror the skill set of Randall Cobb, his likely first-round status might not be worth the risk of jeopardizing more pressing needs elsewhere. A late-round option to help add a spark to a lackluster return game might be Archer or Pittsburg State's John Brown, who emerged from the combine with blazing 40 times.

Minnesota Vikings

Despite selecting a quarterback in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings are unsettled at the position and could go in that direction in this year's draft.

Aaron Donald, DT, PittsburghMay 5:Vikings interested in Donald at No. 8The Vikings have mostly been linked to a linebacker or quarterback with the eighth pick and are considered the favorite in some circles to draft Johnny Manziel. But NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah tweeted Monday that the team could be leaning toward drafting Donald to shore up their front seven. The latest NFL.com mock drafts have Donald going as high as No. 10 and as low as No. 16. Jeremiah does not list defensive lineman as one of the team's top positional needs.

Bryn Renner, QB, North CarolinaApril 28:Vikes talk with potential third-day QBMinnesota could use a starting quarterback, but projecting Renner as an NFL starter is a stretch. Could the Vikings draft a quarterback early, then another (such as Renner) late? Renner (6-foot-3, 228 pounds) played at a high level in 2012 (3,356 yards, 28 TDs) but suffered a shoulder injury and missed six games in 2013. When he did play in '13, he wasn't as sharp as he had been as a junior. Renner is a heady guy with a nice arm and has value as a third-day pick.

Kareem Martin, DE, North CarolinaApril 21:Martin reportedly visited VikingsMartin (6-foot-6, 278 pounds) visited the Vikings last week, according to twincities.com. He's a good athlete -- he ran a 4.78 in the 40-yard dash and had a 35.5-inch vertical jump at the NFL Scouting Combine -- who put up big numbers as a senior with the Tar Heels (82 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss). He always had been good against the run but developed into a solid pass rusher in 2013. Martin lacks bulk but does possess good quickness. The Vikings definitely need a young defensive end with an upside, and Martin would be an interesting choice in the second round. The Vikes pick eighth in the second round (40th overall), but that seems a bit high for Martin. They also pick eighth in the third round (72nd overall), but he could be gone by then.

Lamin Barrow, ILB, LSUApril 16:Productive 'backer visits MinnesotaBarrow (6-foot-1, 237 pounds) led LSU in tackles in 2013 with 91 and was second in 2012 with 104. He runs well and is a good athlete, but he must become more physical and instinctual. He has an upside, and the Vikings seem likely to be in the market for some linebacker depth on the third day of the draft, which is where Barrow would fit.

Khalil Mack, OLB, BuffaloApril 14: Mack will visit with VikingsMack (6-foot-3, 251 pounds) is a top-10 lock, and the only question is how early he will go in the draft. NFL Media insider reporter Ian Rapoport reported Mack will visit with the Minnesota Vikings, who pick eighth, on Wednesday and Thursday. He'll also meet with the Houston Texans, who pick first overall, next week. It's a long shot that he will be selected by Houston, but the Texans still are doing their due diligence. Minnesota surely could use a pass rusher of Mack's ilk, but will he be there at No. 8? The Atlanta Falcons, who pick sixth and desperately need an edge rusher, will meet with Mack, too. Mack also will meet with the Detroit Lions, who pick 10th, next week, and he already has visited with the St. Louis Rams (who pick second) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (third). The Jags are another team in the market for an edge rusher.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, LouisvilleApril 12:Bridgewater works out for VikingsBridgewater was scheduled to work out for the Vikings on Saturday, then visit with team officials Sunday and Monday, according to NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport. Bridgewater had previously worked out only for the Cleveland Browns. His workout plus weekend meetings with Minnesota come one day after the team held a private workout for Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo.

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern IllinoisApril 11:Garoppolo latest QB to work out for VikingsThe Vikings stayed active in meeting with the draft's top quarterbacks, bringing Garoppolo in for a workout Friday, according to the Star-Tribune. Garoppolo, the FCS player of the year in 2013, is projected to go as high as the second round and could be a target for Minnesota when it picks eighth (40th overall) in Round 2.

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&MApril 2:Jeremiah: Having Cassel allows Vikings to pass on Manziel NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes the Vikings could afford to pass on Manziel with the No. 8 pick because they have a serviceable starter in Matt Cassel who fits offensive coordinator Norv Turner's system. Head coach Mike Zimmer has been sending signals recently that Minnesota might indeed bypass Manziel, pointing out that Manziel has "flags" regarding his maturity, his leadership and his presence in the locker room. Fellow analyst Charles Davis emphasized that Zimmer shouldn't draft Manziel if he isn't comfortable with him as his quarterback.

Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLAMarch 26: Barr set to meet with VikingsLast week it was reported that Barr would have a private meeting with the Atlanta Falcons. Now we have learned that he's got a pretty busy schedule in the coming weeks. Barr has several meetings set up in addition to the one with the Falcons. "There have been a couple teams that have reached out," Barr told FOXSports. "I have a couple visits. I'm going to Pittsburgh. I was going to go to Detroit, but I met with their GM the day before the pro day, so I don't know if they think it's necessary. I'm also meeting with the Cowboys, Titans and Vikings."

Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, MinnesotaMarch 3:Entire Vikings staff attends Minnesota pro daySure, the University of Minnesota is based in the same city, but the all-hands-on-deck approach that the local pro football team took to the local college football team's pro day is intriguing. Hageman figures to be the first Golden Gopher selected in the first round since Laurence Maroney was a No. 21 overall pick by the New England Patriots in 2006. While the Vikings have more pressing needs than defensive tackle -- such as quarterback, for instance -- Hageman's upside could make him a tempting selection.